‘Leave out when in doubt’ of Halaal hair products
SINCE the publication of conflicting views on whether water permeates to the hair follicle, the SA National Halaal Authority (Sanha) has changed its tune on banning straightening products.
The authority now says “leave out when in doubt”.
Last year, the Halaal authority probed whether hair product Brasil Cacau infringed on religious requirements of the mandatory purification and the ablution rituals for the five obligatory daily prayers, which are a fundamental pillars of the Islamic faith. It declared that it did, and banned its use.
Sanha spokesperson Ebi Lockhat yesterday said the authority had examined information and studies, and had “unfortunately” found that there were conflicting views.
“In considering the information and giving precedence to the principle that the purification and five daily obligatory prayers which are central to the faith must not be compromised over a cosmetic consideration as opposed to a life-threatening medical condition, Sanha advises its constituents to exercise caution,” Lockhat said.
“The prudent advice in Islam is to leave out when in doubt. Whilst we are aware that there may exist other views to the contrary, we believe that we should rather err on the side of caution.”
Distributor Inoar ran tests last year on different kinds of hair using its Brazilian keratin treatments, which, according to its research, showed that water does penetrate the follicle.
Inoar’s Hendrien Kruger said Sanha had contacted the company about whether its products were Halaal.
“What this means is that Muslim women who undergo Inoar professional Brazilian keratin treatments can rest assured that the procedure is Halaal and doesn’t impinge on religious cleansing or participation in worship,” Kruger said.
“The report revealed that the flow of water into untreated hair strands (known as virgin hair) versus strands straightened with glyoxylic acid (present in our Brazilian keratin treatments) is very similar,” he said.
Acting president of the Muslim Judicial Council, Riad Fataar said the council respected differences in opinions based on research.
“We can’t fight about everything, and if another religion has a view on something, for example, we allow people to have an opinion,” Fataar said.